9 Critical Concealed Carry Lessons: Ep. 7 Truck Guns

A controversial topic to some, this week we are going to talk about the truck gun concept. I have gotten some backlash over the years that a rifle under the seat doesn’t really count as “concealed carry” and no shortage of critics who tell me, “You will go straight to jail if you use an AR to defend yourself.”

Well, I say, to each his own. If I need a rifle to solve a problem, I firmly believe in the old saying, “Better judged by twelve than carried by six.”

Many things are debatable, but relative firepower is not. A duty-sized pistol beats a pocket pistol, and a rifle beats the pants off of both in terms of killing power. (Notice I didn’t say “knock down power.”) I almost always carry a rifle in the truck, just in case. Here’s why you might consider doing the same.

The first question at hand is geography. Where do you live? If you live out West, like I do, it is really easy to get into wide open spaces. It might not be likely, but it is entirely possible that I need to defend myself from afar.

In fact, it is highly probable that if SHTF, I would prefer to have a .308 to a 5.56 just for the increased range. There are some strange cats out here in the desert, and all it takes is one nut job to think my F-150 is a United Nation’s black helicopter for things to go pear-shaped. Wild animals big enough to actually hurt me also roam these parts and 9mm is a bad choice for an enraged moose or mountain lion.

Even if you don’t drive a truck, there are plenty of concealment options for cars and SUVs.

Proximity to your house from work should also be a factor in your decision. On the worst of days, it is about 30 miles back to my house from where I work, through an area that is sparsely populated. If something catastrophic shut down the roads or my truck died, I would probably be able to avoid problems just by moving at night. If that 30 miles were across an urban area, I would want some heavier hardware.

The second point to consider is terrorism. Going all the way back to Charles Whitman at the University of Texas in 1966 to Pulse Night Club to Sandy Hook to San Bernadino to Aurora to the shooting in Dallas perpetrated by Micah Johnson, the worst of the worst have a tendency to bring long guns.

You never want to find yourself in a firefight holding a pistol when the other guy has a rifle. It doesn’t matter if their entire marksmanship program involved ninja rolls and monkey bars, you’re still likely to get your butt kicked.

The counter-argument to this given by many “professional” trainers is that in such a situation you should either hunker down or flee. If that is your mindset, please leave the rifle at home. Preferably next to your cardigan and pink fluffy slippers. I don’t know exactly what kind of man would flee the scene of a mass shooting if he had the means to stop it but that sounds like a coward to me.

Sure, police might confuse you with one of the bad guys. And you might get shot and killed saving innocents. But that is a better end than trying to live with yourself if you fled the scene of a massacre like a rat from a sinking ship. It’s a cold, hard world out there, and the sooner you come to terms with it, the better off you will be. It’s one man’s opinion, and I have the benefit of millions of dollars in training time. But it bears serious consideration.

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There are a lot of concealment options for long guns on the market whether it be in the trunk of your car or in a dedicated carry pack (see video for more details on the backpacks). If you are of the means, you can also nab something ultra-compact. The Kel Tec SU-16 is a great truck gun, for example. You can also take a look at AR takedowns or something in a bullpup configuration.

I have space in my vehicle, so I carry a Barnes Precision AR-15 with a 16” barrel. The optic or lack thereof is dictated by need and space. When I did this for a living, I often used just iron sights, because it made the package smaller.

Now that I’m in retirement and live out West, I often use a Bushnell 1-6.5x-25mm for the increased ability to hit at range.

One additional accessory I have recently discovered is the Crimson Trace® LINQ. This is a flashlight and laser aiming module all in one, controlled wirelessly via an integrated pistol grip. I really like the redundancy of a backup aiming system that works in all light conditions. The flashlight is tiny but packs the same punch as a light three times its size. I round my system out with a VTAC sling, still the king of slings in my opinion.

The LINQ from Crimson Trace® is worth checking out, especially in a world where one is none and two is one.

A truck gun isn’t for everyone, but it is something you should consider. It’s like flood insurance. Don’t let the first time you think about it be the day you need it.

I almost never jump on these, but here it goes….
I spent the first half of my life [so far] in the Dakotas and Montana, and I carried a sidearm and a truck/car rifle. Having moved to Eastern suburbs, the rifle has given way to a shotgun. Two reasons for the shotgun–buckshot loses velocity quickly and will not penetrate suburban buildings and vehicles. The foster-type slugs I have penetrate nearly the same as a 9mm or .45acp.

The second reason is the abundant cover consisting of buildings, vehicles, and scrubby hills and knolls. 50 yard shot?
Forget about it, think 12 yards or less. Granted, the bad guys have no qualms about shooting through automobiles to strike bystanders on the other side, but I do.

The most crucial thing to remember about defense is that it is DEFENSE against an ACTIVE threat. A local recently emerged from his vehicle to chase down and injure some two-legged animal who had committed, and was fleeing from, a crime. The would-be protagonist’s weapon was described as “a tire tool.” BOTH men were arrested, tried, and imprisoned.

Very interesting comments. I am retired military and retired LE. Fact is, some military (AF, Navy, CG) and most LE never fire their weapon on duty. With the longest war in US history, I would say there are many Army, NG, USMC who do have experience, I just don’t know how many. No one knows how they will react in a life threatening situation, they can only train mentally and physically to meet the challenge. No one should be denigrated before they are tested.

Concealability and versatility are utmost in the modern world. The threat comes from the state as well as the bad guys. Telegraphing your carry or being caught violating the states’ rules and you will pay a heavy price. State laws vary so widely that it is almost impossible to meet each state’s requirements as you travel. So those with truck guns and PDWs are vulnerable much more to state action than they are confrontation with the bad guys. Many active LE guys rely upon professional courtesy to pull them out of a tight spot. It works most of the time, but is not foolproof. Retired LE or military do not normally receive such courtesy. A regular citizen; forgetaboutit.

For those willing to take the chance, don’t do anything stupid and get yourself pulled over. Most times you will be asked a series of questions such as do you have any drugs or weapons in the car. You are now on your own.

I prefer to carry something really small which can be interchangeable to the highest extent possible. Kel Tec sub 2000 gen II and Glock 19 seem to be the best fit. Common magazines and ammunition. Easily concealable. Close in to medium distance capability.

Katrina came up in the thread. I was involved in many ways, with katrina through the CAT and AFSOC STS assets. I wonder what horror stories we will hear and some actually see from hurricane harvey slated to be worse than katrina. Witihin 24 hours the looting and shooting will begin…so, what will you wish your truck gun is now?

Nah, a Mossberg 590 or some similar weapon with two saddle carriers or a dual feed buttstock; one for buckshot; one for rifled slugs. Close range/intermediate range combo. Too bad you can’t get a rifled barrel for the 590, as saboted slugs would be even better yet.

If you are going to pick an AR-15 rifle to carry as a truck gun I would go with supersonic .300 Blackout, 6.5 x 39 Grendel or 6.8 x 43 Special Purpose Cartridge. Why stick with 5.56 x 45 for self defense as most rifle cartridges beat it for killing or stopping a threat?

Wow- lots of Truck Gun comments, I’ll add to it.
Live in a very rural area in a fairly firearms friendly state – I’m lucky. Have behind the seat of my pickup a Ranch Hand (RH) chambered in 44 mag. Keep half a dozen in the magazine, chamber empty. Reworked a gun sleeve to carry it; from driver’s seat can pull it up, quick throw of the lever makes it ready to go.
Use it for critter control, in a pinch in hunting season and would use it on two legged varmints – if needed.
Worked up a nice less than full power LBT handload; it leaves a good size hold in game, can consistently hit the center of a gallon milk jug with it at 50 yds & is easy to handle in the RH.

Get rid of those hand loads and ONLY use factory ammo. Heaven for bid, if you ever get involved in a shooting the DA in your area WILL escalate your case to a grand jury simply because you’re using hand loads, even under-powered loads. All they have to do is prove intent.

And you’ve reworked a gun sleeve so you can quick-draw a .44 mag lever gun from the drivers seat?

All I can say is I hope you have a FLEET of high powered attorneys and a very deep pockets to feed them!

Paul I’ll second your choice. I can pack my 300blk 10.5 with a folding tube in almost the same space as a duty handgun but it will reach and touch someone. I’ve harvested quite a few deer with mine! Plus you can carry subs and supersonic to boot!

I’m surprised at these responses when the author is just stating what’s right for him not everybody. At least that’s how I read it.
Now, if you’re one of the many who’ve never touched a living farm animal but drive a huge dually pickup then I have an idea too: Mount a belt-fed .50 cal in the bed and cover it up with a tarp so people will think you are actually hauling something and didn’t waste $50,000 buying the truck. Do that, and then you will probably have the ISIS cell that lives in your gated community out-gunned when they decide to open fire on you after dropping their kids off at Pilates class.
Seriously, I think maybe some dudes here need to back off on the AndroGel and Steven Segal movies.

I absolutely agree! I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it! Being prepared means preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Being prepared is preferable to the alternative.

Congratulations. In my personal opinion this is the best series of articles on the subject since the ones organized into book form as “In the Gravest Extreme” by Massad Ayoob. His book is dated with regard to hardware, much of what has been technologically improved (or didn’t even exist) in the decades since first published. But in all other respects, legal, moral, practical, etc., Ayoob’s advice remains as valuable as ever. You appear to be heading in the same direction. I’ll add your articles to the list of highly recommended reading for all my students regardless of skill/experience level.

Well I’m 67 so I have no problem with taking the fight to the enemy
From P (park) to 1st shot from my x95 cased behind the seat is under 15 seconds that includes throwing the. 6 mag carrier over my shoulder

Not having a truck gun is silly. You have the room — have something shoulder mounted in there. I installed a locking Tuffy box under the seat of my Sierra and an AR, spare pistol, mags, mag carriers, holster, etc etc all fit in there nicely. Will I ever need it? Probably not. Man, I hope not. But if I do it’s there. Even in my old Scout, which has no roof, I have a locking Tuffy console and a MP5K with a RMR fits in there, along with a USPc, both in 9mm. Why bother with the K gun in 9mm? I’m twice as fast engaging multiple targets with it. I train with pistols and carbines and there’s no comparison in split times, etc, carbine with RDS is nearly twice as fast, every time.

Re the legal persecution argument against — I’m certainly not looking for trouble and will go far out of my way to avoid it but if I have no alternative I’m going to fight to win (survive) and society’s judgments be damned. You may need that rifle in a situation where the rule of law has broken down anyway.

WHAT? There sure are a lot of overly sensitive \”people\” here and then there are men. First, anyone who needs to engage bad guys and chooses a handgun over a carbine is a fool if a carbine is an option. As for LEO\’s shooting you it doesn\’t matter if they roll up on you and you\’ve got a handgun or a carbine in your hands – you better be aware of what\’s happening around you and when it\’s time to get the firestick out of your hands. If you can\’t then you better not carry. Yes, I\’m a retired state trooper and an Army combat vet who\’s been there and back. If you\’re going to carry you better be prepared to go ALL THE WAY – nothing else is acceptable. CLEARLY, many of you have not been in serious life and death situations requiring fast thinking and hard decisions and if you think that hunter safety course and shooting 500 rds a week at paper targets has you prepared – you better think again..After reading these comments this is why I am a staunch supporter of serious mandatory firearms and legal training before anyone is allowed to carry a firearm outside of hunting. It terrifies me that some of you are running around with loaded guns. Some of you are overly meek – others appear ready (and hoping) for armageddon. I particularly love the comments from people who have all this \”tactical\” advice but you can tell they\’ve never been in a gunfight in their life! Yes, we can tell – you stand out just like the guy in the bar bragging about being a SEAL and all the gunfights he\’s been in.As for carrying a truck gun – it\’s a great idea! Better to have a carbine than a handgun and it makes NO difference what you use when the chips are down (unless your state has laws against it). Secure it somehow so that if your vehicle is broken into they can\’t simply remove it – make them work for it. If they do get it or steal your vehicle, do you REALLY think your one carbine is going to make a big difference if bad guys end up with it? What a laugh! What if they break into your home and steal ALL your guns? Even if they\’re in a safe? What if, what if, what if???? Don\’t be stupid.As for the mentioning of \”accessories\” he\’s trying to help you with ideas that might be useful – and if he does get a buck thrown his way for doing it – SO WHAT? Some of you should stay off these forums and just stay home. Preferably next to your cardigan and pink fluffy slippers.

Russ H watch it your sounding alittle like some of your own words I’d rather listen look and observe before Makeing any statements but note this even a corner’d rabbit will turn and fight I’m no rabbit eather it’s always best to be aware of your surroundings comeing or going and travels the point is be ready and go take classes learn to what it takes practise and paper targets don’t shoot back eather

Russ with the Second Amendment there is no mandatory training for firearms. It is a natural right for a person to defend themselves. The tyrants would make it so no one would qualify or they would make the right into a may issue and not a shall issue.
That being said I have paid for firearm training. I have taken over eight days of classes for pistol and rifle in order to use them proficiently. Anyone that does not seek professional training with guns and owns them is unwise. Likely the training will cost you less than $750 and it may save your life or someone you love.

To expand on this topic with something I know all too well. Truck guns are not only something that will get you home if SHTF, but around this part of Nevada you will find that occasionally the Sheriff’s department or another LEO might need help. don’t laugh, it happens more than the press will let you know about. an AR with a Trijicon RMR or ACOG is one of the best combinations I can suggest to anyone. Mine is behind the seat in my Dodge, it’s a 5.56 soon to be a 300 blackout. I am also an NRA instructor, gunshop owner, and gunsmith. I have lived in California most of my life and see the “Californiacation” of the Nevada NRS as a very bad set of events. We have too many people out to get us killed, Muslim invaders, mexican/central american gangs, and the alike. I have had to pull my own gun on several occasions in Reno, the north valleys of Reno, Sparks, out in the middle of nowhere (coyotes and an unruly bear). I might not totally agree with Mr. Martin, but I agree enough with him to echo that there is a definite need for a truck gun. I have a few of them. depending on the time of year dictates which one I am carrying. I have a couple of big bore lever guns (devastating out to 300 yards), An AR(accurate to 400 yards), semi-auto in a NATO cartridge(devastating out to 500 yards) , a couple of bolt guns (you will not outrun these guns). this is all about staying alive and safety. nothing is more important than being alive to tell your side of the story.

As far as I have been taught, a side arm is there to allow you to get back to your main firearm. ARs are fine I guess, but I prefer the bigger punch of the M1 Garand. A scabbard to mount it in behind the seat and a bandoleer of clips ranging from soft points to API. I like to be covered for any eventuality. I started carrying an -o6 while helping out a small town PD, and they liked the punch and various types of ammo I carried. So I stuck with it.

I have a nice “trunk gun.” A SIG 556R with the side folding STG 90 style stock. 7.62×39 caliber, AK mags, EOTech HDS. The SIG makes a very small package folded. It can be brought into action that way if needed. Good accuracy and with a magnified optic could easily make head shots at 200+ yards. Reasonably easy torso hits to 300 with the EOTech.
If I lived in bear country I would try to get a takedown model Marlin lever gun in .450 Marlin.

1st , great article clay , just reading some of the comments , i see this topic really gets people fired up and thinking , i just wanted to comment on the “use an ar15 to defend yourself and go to jail” , if you are involved in any type of altercation that involves any kind/type/style/number of weapons and anyone is seriously injured or killed , provided you are not the one killed and i have seen dead corpses handcuffed you know just for officer saftey , you will be arrested until it all gets sorted out and they can hold you for seventy two hours in a jail cell without a formal charge , so i think the message of a rifle is the better tool in a gunfight seemed to get lost rather quickly , but anyway keep up the good work/fight and remember , you can inform the ignorant but you cant fix the stupid 😉 , your mind is the weapon , everything else is just a tool!

As a concealed carry believer, and one who would ONLY use it to protect myself and loved ones from direct mortal threats, and who WOULD use it protect an Officer who is down and one who MIGHT use it where it’s obvious I’m the only one between a nut case and innocents, I have been considering a “TRUNK” gun as I have a 60 mile round trip commute from the country daily. There have been many recent examples when it’s obvious people have had to deal with threats that a normal concealed carry weapon or even a 17 round FN509 wouldn’t be great for. A locked down AR as a backup in your trunk would be a great option in my mind.

As a retired Peace Officer my instinct is still to protect innocents. You run from a threat like that if you can live with it, but personally I would run toward it. I don’t want to live the rest of my life knowing I’m a coward. You seem to be able to, so have right at it, I just would not want you as a friend or neighbor.

I agree.if I only had a shoe to throw I could not run away.if I take a round, being over 50, than there’s one less for an innocent. It’s sad but I conceal carry to the Church of Christ that I attend. Some had a problem with it but they didn’t know me yet, no one has a problem with it now.i pay that I never have to but it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it

In the past I have had a bad issue instinctively running towards gun shots.
I built an AK63-D just for a small vehicular EDC, I just need to get a magazine sling carrier.
There are hundreds of cases, and dozens of youtube videos showing why a vehicular EDC rifle is a need, just like liability insurance, or an airbag in the steering wheel, sometimes you can’t avoid the trouble.
Even after Katrina, the LEO’s were almost as bad as the bandits, some would say worse.
Better safe than sorry.

Gun owners can’t afford to stay out of politics because politics determines whether we keep or lose our guns. And if you’re one of those who thinks “they won’t take away the kinds of guns I like,” you’re delusional. The ultimate goal of the anti-gun people is to take ALL our guns.

Mr. Combs- i might be ignorant- but when was the last time a politician launched a bill, made a campaign promise, or mentioned in a speech that our guns should be taken away? Gun lovers said Obama would—for TEN YEARS… is he still planning on it?

Well, since none of that has happened yet, I guess there’s nothing to worry about. Whew, there for awhile I was concerned that the government might start restricting firearms. Wait a minute, it has – process started back in the mid-1900’s and has gradually gotten worse. I don’t guess you saw the undercover video of Hi-lie-ry Clinton’s high-level aide admitting that all tactics are acceptable in order to enact gun restrictions. Yes, they (the libtard left) think it’s ok to lie as long as the result is “good” for society. They will take whatever they can get, as they can get it – slowly chipping away and eroding our right to bear arms. Up to and including their ultimate goal, turning us into a “civilized society” like Great Britain. Wake up jack-ass !! Study history, pay attention to politics and VOTE. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

I grew up in Texas during a period when one could leave their lever action rifle or shotgun in their gun rack, plainly visible through the rear window of their “unlocked” cab. It was not unusual to walk through “downtown” Austin in the mid-1960s and see many single cab pickups “attired” with the obligatory rifle or shotgun displayed in the rear window gun rack, ready to be used as the tool they were considered. In fact, when Charles Whitman began his murderous onslaught from the University of Texas tower, local LEOs on the scene requested citizens on-site with quick access to a rifle or shotgun to lay down covering fire on the tower to allow emergency responders time to assist the wounded, and to allow LEOs to access the base of the tower. But of course those days are long gone! Today a gun owner must be able to properly secure their firearm inside their vehicle to keep it from being seen and/or stolen. As far as carrying a “long gun”, I use an old, well-worn, dark blue baseball bat bag to carry my AR15 away from my truck. To the casual observer, it looks like I’m carrying baseball equipment to my son’s baseball practice. The bag is sized just right for an AR, and the pockets designed to carry extra baseballs and mitts work well to carry extra magazines, tactical gloves, glasses, etc.

VERY GOOD. SMART IDEA USING THE BASEBALL BAT BAG!!!! I WILL HAVE TO DO THAT.
BUT BE CAREFULL YOU VETERANS. THE VA COPS ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE NOISY
EVEN IN TEXAS A HIDDEN PISTOL LEGAL TO DRIVE WITH—–IS ILLEGAL AT THE VA HOSPITALS!!!!
BE AWARE!!!!!

Any firearm I carry is for my personal protection and the protection of my loved ones. I’m not carrying in public to be somebody else’s bodyguard. My philosophy is that everyone else has the same right as I do to equip themselves with a firearm and train to use it for personal protection. If they choose to put the responsibility for their own personal protection in the hands of police then when my family and I are clear of the kill zone I’ll put their plan into action by calling police to come rescue them. My philosophy isn’t hard and fast; I will attempt to help those who cannot help themselves such as children and folks with mental or physical disabilities. But for others, they foolishly chose to trust their lives to the police and I’m more than happy to let them stick to their plan. I will lose no sleep nor harbor any regrets afterward.

Shawn…. You have it right. I have been a CCW Instructor, ex LEO and that concept is what I instruct. For someone who has a lot of training/experience that most people will never be able to obtain to spout that kind of garbage is irresponsible.

I’m probably not looking correctly, . . . maybe don’t have enough coffee so far today, . . . but the “truck gun” concept hit me right on the button, as I am building one right now. I was intrigued by the “ready mag” attachment, . . . but cannot find it. Can you list a manufacturer or model name for us? Thanks my friend, . . . keep up the good work.

I agree 100% . I’m a combat veteran and know first-hand it’s better to have and not need, than to need and not have. I live in southeast AZ. Not far from the border, I hunt in the same mountian range that drug traffickers use to bring drugs in. I always carry a pistol if I’m not at home and my truck always has a 12 gauge and either a carbine or a bolt gun in a sniper caliber. I know I never have to worry about being arrested because this is a free state and I love liberty. God bless America.

Feral Hogs are a problem everywhere and there is generally no season on them,coyotes likewise.
So I keep my old double barrel exposed hammer gun in the back of my vehicle along with my old thirty thirty.
There are excellent heavy duty gun cases that are strapped over your headrest and fit almost flat against the back of the seat.

So I agree with some of what you say. Yes I have a truck gun. But I think the odds of making to my truck and getting back into the fight are about as good as getting into a gun fight 3 days in a row. Having said that everyone gets up in this country and has the right to make a personal defense plan. No matter if it is a gun, pepper spray or running shoes you get to make a choice. Now for me if I am in the kill zone i.e. withing visual sight I will fight. However having a ccp doesn’t make me responsible for everybody else. I have a tenancy to run to danger but I also have 2 small kids to take care. So if covering a retreat for others and myself makes me a coward so be it. But no way am I going to go head on into an unknown gun fight with a pocket 9mm unless it was at a school. If that makes me a “coward” or “pussy” as you say that’s fine. But in the end those that choose to go out into the world with out options have made thiers just I did.

I believe deeply in the right to bear arms, BUT….. Leaving any gun in an unattended vehicle is simply irresponsible, as there is no way to prevent it from succumbing to theft. If you think that a lock box is enough to thwart a theft, then consider that the lock box will do little if your entire vehicle is stolen. If you weigh up the odds of needing a long gun for personal protection, either animal or human, against the possibility of your gun winding up in the hands of street gangs, then you’re a fool if you walk away from a gun in a trunk. If you consider yourself macho enough to engage all of these imaginary bad guys and you are so willing to risk your life, then why don’t you put your paranoia aside and be brave enough to leave your guns at home, or on your person, where the rest of us will not later have to confront your gun in the wrong hands.

and if you carry your gun, someone could take it from you too. so I guess you should never carry at all
with your logic everyone should be defenseless and leave their weapons at home so that no bad guys could get their weapon.
cause we all know that inner city gang members often roam the desert looking for guns to steal out of trucks.
re-read the part about geography, not all of us live in the city.
if all your bad guys are imaginary, maybe you should just pretend to draw your imaginary gun, and don’t worry about the rest of us. and leave your car at home so no one will steal it.
I choose to carry and will be ready when the imagined, turns into real. just keep your rape whistle handy, im sure it will save your life someday,,,,

You’re obviously missing my message. I agree with the right to bear arms. The answer to protection of ones self and others however, falls into many areas. I rely firstly on the ability to defend myself in hand to hand combat and then secondly, on having to use a gun if there is no other choice. This author, on the other hand, talks about “catastrophic shut down of roads,” and “terrorism” and “the increased ability to hit at range.” Of course terrorism and such is real but put it on the scale of things and what are your real odds? In your lifetime, how often have you had the need to defend yourself with a long gun, or even a handgun? The reality is that you stand an almost zero chance of that ever happening. You’re more likely to get hit by lightening twice in your lifetime, than you are to need a long gun for defense. To me, this guy is looking for bad guys where they may not exist, which makes him paranoid and dangerous and he would likely do more harm than good in any given situation. Yes, you have a right to protection but use your head and assess the facts, without paranoiac fear.

Mr. Martin doesn’t have to act macho, he has actually been in combat. I doubt you have since all you do is make.excuses why you shouldn’t be prepared. I’m sure all the people who have been killed or wounded in mass shootings thought there were no bad guys around and nothing would happen to them. So hang in there Mr. Condition White.

Since the 223 AR’s have been beating the 308’s at the 600 yd line for 20 years, and are fully capable of 1000 yd competition with 308’s, the 308 has ZERO range advantage over the 223. What it does have, tho, is an advantage for shooting thru car bodies )given the right ammo being chosen for the 308). At the ranges likely to be the issue for a truck gun, I favor the SKS, with some of the old steel cored ammo, since it will out-penetrate lead cored 308 ammo. With 150 gr Cor Bon sp’s, the 30 AK is as capable of taking elk and moose as the 30-30 ever was (ie, marginal, but it got done, a lot) I can spare the theft of my $300 SKS a lot more easily than I can my $1500 shtf AR. Ditto if it’s seized as evidence after a shooting. If I lived in elk, moose/bear country, Id have a used, $450 3006 Remington M748 auto, with a few mags of the old black-tip 3006 AP. ammo.. for the truck gun., along with some 165 gr Nosler Partition softpoints. Who says that you have to be so dumb as to be standing around with the rifle when the cops show up. Put it back in the vehicle, or lay it down. Not hard to figure out.

My “truck gun” is a Marlin 336 30-30. There are far too many “liberals” that are frightened by any military style rifle. ARs tend to attract too much attention also here in upstate NY we have Governor Cuomo’s New York State SAFE Act which is clearly designed to disarm us. I keep my rifle in a soft case so it remains out of sight. Never had the need for a handgun so I have always carried a rifle in my pickup truck. I used to carry a Mini-30 but opted for my 30-30 after a lengthy discussion with a State Trooper on the shoulder of a road one evening. I had stopped to help a broken down traveler change the tire on their car. After that experience I no longer stop to help.

Like you a one way trip to work is 50 miles for me through mostly rural areas. But (maybe it was 20 years on the job before we went to ARs) I like a shotgun in the vehicle. I found the electolock shotgun racks fit nicely under the package shelf in the trunk. Out of sight unless someone actually sticks their head into the trunk and looks up. An 870 sits in the rack in the car and a 500 in rack behind the back seat of the pickup. An assortment of slugs, buck, and some #6 gives me versatility you don’t have with a rifle.

We’re talking defense / survival gun here, not hunting. I was a 12 gauge guy to until I realized there isn’t anything a rifle can’t do that a shotgun can. Ok, charging grizzly. But with 30 5.56’s I bet I’d do a better job then a guy with his .357. But for 2 legs mostly, I’ll take the 5.56 with 20-30 round mag(s). A 12 ga barrel pointed out of the truck window might sound cool, but I assure you an AR-15 pointed out the window should have an equally chilling view if the bad guy is sane. Even more so if there are 3 of the bad guys. A shotgun could get drained whereas the rifle is just getting warmed up. Training guys would tell me, “I want a shotgun on a high risk stop for close range.” Bull pucky. The shotgun with LE loads is a thumper and no one shoots it as well as they shoot their AR. Plus if you’re talking multiple targets a standard non-modified 4 rd 12 gauge without reloading feels like a boat anchor in my hands. As far as the spread, most LE rounds are much tighter shooting. A 1.5” pattern at 10 yards doesn’t give you much better hit potential, and if your chosen rounds spread a lot more your accountability goes down the drain if it flies down the street. A 30 rd AR and I can transition to multiple targets and I feel a ton more confident with it. We don’t send our soldiers out with all shotguns in their hands for a reason. If grizzlies and cougars are a concern, then a .308 would be my choice and I still have a rifle. Plus I can address it at range, whereas your bird and buckshot are just wasting ammo. Buckshot has dropped off my radar for 2 legged foes, and for deer altogether. I’ve shot a few deer with buckshot. At 10 yards its a deadly tool. At 40 yards it has much less and different effects. I would not humanely try it at more than 25 yards in hunting and non-survival situations where I needed food. Yes I can hear it now. “I’ve dropped many a deer over 50 yds with buckshot.” Maybe you have. How many have you wounded? How many required a follow up shot or 3? As far as 6 shot, if that comes in to play you’re probably gathering food. I cleared 3 rabbits from my garden with a 22 this year, and 2 at 25 yards with my 9mm. So a 5.56 can do that as well. I’m over the “everyone knows what a racking 12 gauge sounds like.” To me that just meant you were empty. I love these debates because gun guys can yell at each other while they’re laughing. I respectfully disagree on the guns so no disrespect intended. But if I can’t have a safe full of guns for defense, the AR is the first one I go to. Anything less is just uncivilized 🙂

You forget the slugs, but both my shotguns are 8 rounders and I have had to use them on the street, during building searches, and high risk stops and warrant service. I can assure you a shotgun gets attention better than anything else.

The “truck gun” in rural areas has many uses, not just the extreme long shot (excuse pun) of encountering a nut job shooter or Jihadi cruising for 72 virgins in the middle of nowhere. Often it can be s a situation with an injured and/or dangerous animal. Best overall choice IMO is a cheap short-barreled “home defense” type shotgun with rifled slugs because it’s compact, it’ll get the job done on most North American beasts (at fairly close range anyway) and not out of a lot of money if it gets swiped. And if you do get in a situation where you have no choice but to hang it out the window at a 2-legged critter, there are few things that say “Git!” better than the business end of a 12-gauge.

My biggest concern with carrying a firearm in my vehicle is the ability to secure it when left unattended. I had two pistols stolen from my truck some years back. I since switched to a console vault. That won’t work for a long gun. How do you secure your truck gun?

There are several locking racks on the market and a high strength cable through an open action is inexpensive and gets the job done. There is never any excuse for leaving an unsecured weapon in an unoccupied vehicle.

BTW, this piece articulates why I am scoping a Ruger 10/22 this very day to carry in my truck. It’s not a battle rifle, but gives me a real possibility to peck away at an active shooter up to 250+ yards away. Maybe stop him, or simply distract him with bullets ricocheting around him, if he’s aware of such things. If he’s a punk kid thrill killer wannabe, any unexpected armed resistance might rattle him totally.

I carry a Ruger 1022 Takedown which came with its own carry bag in the trunk. The bag has the rifle halves, an attached sling, attached Bushnell scope, and in a pocket is a paintball tube with 1000 rounds of both HP and RN. I have 2 BX-25 mags (1 loaded) and 1 BX-50 double mag in the bag. I’ve carried it the last few years stowed in the trunk should I encounter something worthy of it’s capability. I also carry a 9mm Shield with laser and 2 extra mags. I think it’s prudent to have some readiness should SHTF or something happen during a trip. Once each year, I take the rifle to the range and calibrate the scope.

Those inexpensive BSA scopes with the BDC for .22 LR will let you rain .22’s on a target at 200-250 yards with a 20″ 10/22. They aren’t going very fast but I would move very quickly if they were coming down around me.

I also carry a 10/22 with a straight 4x scope and a bx25 mag under the backseat of the truck. I have been thinking the last few weeks about upgrading to a larger caliber but honestly for where I live a .22 is a great all around truck gun. Being as I am a mechanic for a large farm I am a lot more appt to need to take care of a ground hog, raccoon, or coyote than any 2 legged threat. If heaven forbid I was in the situation to need to use it for defense then shot placement is crucial and I can’t expect it to do more than hopefully distract the threat from others or maybe wound him/her enough to slow them down. I have never considered the .22 to be any type of serious defensive round but if it comes down to it I’d still rather have something than nothing.

FINALLY! Somebody who understands that good guys may just need to engage with whatever they have, and clarify with the police when they arrive, rather than shrugging and doing nothing \”because the police might think I\’m the bad guy.\” Stopping a dedicated active shooter is unlikely with halfhearted measures employed by halfhearted, timid people. Heck, if you lack the means for decisive victory, you may at least throw the shooter off his gameplan by doing the unexpected and shooting back.Regardless of his motives and fanaticism, reality dictates that he is highly likely to deviate or hesitate to some degree once he comes under fire. Even if willing and eager to die, he plans a grand finale first, not getting doubled over or felled with a gut or lungshot, there for the cops to \”mop up\” upon arrival. Or a hit anywhere in the arms or face is highly likely to impede him from using his rifle to full effect.Lots of people reading these lines have used anything from .22 pistols to .44 Magnums to shoot Coke cans 50-100 yards away, or something similar. And when they missed, they were at least close. And although adrenaline will change your abilities in various ways, a 100-yard shot from cover or concealment, across a parking lot or highway media with your CCW, may be easier than a 15-yard shot with your J frame when you KNOW the shooter will turn towards you when you fire.And BTW, I know there are far too many sad examples to quote, but don\’t forget former Marine Gavin Long using a TAVOR 5.56mm to kill three cops and wound three in Baton Rouge, July 2016, less than two miles from my home on a busy thoroughfare I travel often. And a young cop I\’m very close friends with rides that same patrol route daily, but just so happened to be off-shift when the SHTF. He would have been an initial responding officer, had no rifle (at that time–since changed), and his cousin was the first officer shot and killed.

FINALLY! Somebody who understands that good guys may just need to engage with whatever they have, and clarify with the police when they arrive, rather than shrugging and doing nothing “because the police might think I’m the bad guy.” Stopping a dedicated active shooter is unlikely with halfhearted measures employed by halfhearted, timid people. Heck, if you lack the means for decisive victory, you may at least throw the shooter off his gameplan by doing the unexpected and shooting back.

Regardless of his motives and fanaticism, reality dictates that he is highly likely to deviate or hesitate to some degree once he comes under fire. Even if willing and eager to die, he plans a grand finale first, not getting doubled over or felled with a gut or lungshot, there for the cops to “mop up” upon arrival. Or a hit anywhere in the arms or face is highly likely to impede him from using his rifle to full effect.

Lots of people reading these lines have used anything from .22 pistols to .44 Magnums to shoot Coke cans 50-100 yards away, or something similar. And when they missed, they were at least close. And although adrenaline will change your abilities in various ways, a 100-yard shot from cover or concealment, across a parking lot or highway media with your CCW, may be easier than a 15-yard shot with your J frame when you KNOW the shooter will turn towards you when you fire.

And BTW, I know there are far too many sad examples to quote, but don’t forget former Marine Gavin Long using a TAVOR 5.56mm to kill three cops and wound three in Baton Rouge, July 2016, less than two miles from my home on a busy thoroughfare I travel often. And a young cop I’m very close friends with rides that same patrol route daily, but just so happened to be off-shift when the SHTF. He would have been an initial responding officer, had no rifle (at that time–since changed), and his cousin was the first officer shot and killed.

lol. Laughed my ass off. “Terrorists”? Really?? Brandish your fightin’ arms and LE ‘might’ (read: WILL) shoot and kill you, but it’s worth it? Any “real man” that does otherwise is a puss-puss and a coward, and then you go on to smacktalk cardigans and pink puffy slippers!! Dem shits are comfy and my “dear-close-friend” paid good coin for them, thank you very much. Really. . . starting in on cardigans is just uncalled for!
My reality says, tha hell with the terrorist threat, the only threat I see that will send me across the River Styx is American Law Enforcement, and the reality of them killing me for being “where the action is” with a bullet thrower in hand when they arrive on site is more surely to be the concern at hand rather than the Taliban or their cousins and bro’s. But as you emphasize from time to time, ‘Uncle Sugar’ paid good coin to change you from wayward sorta-human to murican demigod, and I dunno, with bonafides such as that, why not tote a rifle on the run to the piggly-wiggly or to Macy’s. . . One in a million. . .or in a population of 320-million, make that one in. . .well, I wasn’t a math or stat major so I dunno. . but it’s “YUGE!!”, yet still the “one-in..” suggests at least “one-in…”, so..ya never know! Judged by 12 it is!

Sheesh, maybe I read this too early in the morning… The reasons just struck me as absurd and I thought the only reason I believe counts is the, “cos I want to” reason. And frankly I have no trust at all in LE to dare have my ‘out and free’ firearm clasped in my hand in view of them no matter what the reason, and I know using the “But I’m a trained special forces sniper” card will just not work in my favor. I cant prove that it wont work, but I’m not gonna try it either.

Back to my cardigan. .and I must concede– to my faux-fleece lined slippers. They are not pink.. and they were a gift. . .from a dear close “friend”. . harrumph. .

The world needs slipper toting puffs too. Just please don’t wear pink ones in public with a fuzzy cardigan sipping Starbucks saying “the cops get paid to fire back” as some kid is killed or a group of women are mowed down by an illeterate, religious nut job at the local main street next holiday out with the family. Just stay quiet, please, and drink your coffee.
Thanks.
Ps. I just woke up too and your post struck a nerve with me. Maybe I’m just tired and stressed out hearing about all these heavily armed nut jobs all the time knowing my .45 won’t do squat against a 5.56 rifle toting nut job and I CAN NOT COUNT ON CARDIGAN WEARING NEIGHBORS TO PROTECT ME!

Should all real gun owners wear black T-shirts and look like bouncers with low IQs?
Truth is, in a diverse country like ours, responsible and resolute gun owning citizens abound; and thankfully don’t all look like YOUR shallow and narrow expectations of them! You, on the other hand, perfectly fit the perpetuated but also wrong stereotype of what the anti-gun imagine to be the typical pro-gun guy.

Learn this: gun ownership is merely a part of life; it’s not a costumed event! LOL!!

Go ahead and respond with some mealy mouthed attack, meaning I was able to wound your fragile ego.

Better yet, how about your next segment be sharing with the readers your expert ability to identify, strictly based on knitted wear and footwear, how masculine and responsive (including even females) a person is!

I am not defending this “Dennis S” poster; he irritates me in coming across as a Never-Trumper. However, I find your response to him -with the leverage of being the author of the article- to be low-brow, petty and journalistically unprofessional.

Well Denny, you win the prize for most obnoxious comment I’ve read today and one of the most obnoxious ever !! My contest, my choice. There is no doubt in my mind that the lack of coffee and having to cut nap time short so you could get to your shift as the assistant night manager at the Kwik Mart had nothing to do with how you took the article – I’m betting that you’re an unmitigated ass all the time. You might want to consider some of the advice provided by a former service member (thank you Clay) with a skill set not taught in the 6-week assistant manager training course at Kwik Mart university. It’s obvious you’re jealous of the writer and I’m fairly certain he struck a nerve talking about those slippers. I’ll bet you have a “special friend” that gave them to you on a special occasion. Now I’m not implying that they’re pink, but if so I’m sure they’d match at least one pair of your bikini-briefs. Oh well, set the time on your crapachino machine and try to get some sleep – the Kwik Mart needs you !!

I agree wholeheartedly. Funny, i, last week, stated to someone ” better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6″ explaining my views on self defense.
I also just picked up last month my first rifle caliber pistol. Though not an AR style. I don’t like the 5.56 round for knock down power and one shot immobilizing power. I thought .308 in a pistol would be just too much but I may revisit at some point in near future.
I chose the M92 pistol in 7.62×39 as I have lots of mags and ammo already in hand. This platform also favors neglect moreso than an AR platform. Just a reddot reticle is all that is needed and foregrip Midwest Industries M-Lok upper and lower foregrip to be able to add attachments of choice easily.
If any of us citizens ever run from a situation where we have the power and means to put an end to a terrible situation we better handle it. Running is never an option when good, innocent lives depend on the weapons we have chosen to keep on hand and spout off about Constitutional rights.
Good article man. Sums up my opinions too.

Folks need to be up to speed on the Laws regarding gun, ammo and loaded guns in vehicles. Laws often vary by State and jurisdiction. A truck (vehicle) gun is really more diverse part of a larger Plan. It is a mobile stash you preposition as you go about your daily schedule. You use your CC/OC to fight you way to you stash firepower. If you plan in these terms you will never omit mags fir your handgun.
A Truck gun can be employed upon egress but if access to it requires you to open doors/trunk/ hatchback you are handicapped. Some vehicles with rear seats require a door to be open to clear armrests or to access seat release levers.
I’m not a fan of fighting in thin skinned vehicles but with flash riots you may not have that initial option. Can you transition your truck gun 12, 3, 6 and 12, 9, 6? Extra handgun mags should also be in your truck and immediately accessible. I like gas piston pistols or rifles with folding stocks (can fire folded) in rifle calibers. Better mobility in real confined spaces. AR buffer tubes/fixed stocks don’t cut it. The gas piston pistol like AK or Sig P556 (10.5 barrel) are handguns and can be carried loaded in many States where you can’t carry a loaded rifle in a vehicle. Folding Sig braces are a option if you like them. The rifle caliber pistols are also more discrete on the move.
I’m not a fan of large rifle bags/packs. They draw too much attention. Mag pouches on a Web belt still work great, less bulk and easy to hide. It doesn’t make sense to not to grab a mag carry system when your grabbing the bigger gun.